256 
FROM THE COLUMBIA VALLEY TO FORT OWEN. 
iii his plan of financiering. He, however, soon brought us some corn and potatoes, and promised 
that, when Governor Stevens should arrive, he would kill a fat ox for us. 
I found all the grass burned on this side of-the Peluse river. 
The Indians told me that a Spaniard had been along a few days before, and told them that a 
large body of American soldiers were coming to cut them off’, and take possession 6f their homes. 
I satisfied them that our mission was one of peace, and promised if they would show me the 
persons who had endeavored to excite them to take arms against us, I would hang them on the 
first tree. 
Wednesday, August 3.—From Camp Peluse to Camp Spokane, twenty-eight miles, over a 
better country than I have traversed since leaving the Dalles of the Columbia, I noticed a great 
amount of carbonate of soda in locations where, in wet seasons, there had evidently been pools 
of water. The ground in many places was perfectly white with it, and covered to the depth of 
three-quarters of an inch. 
Last night an unfortunate accident occurred. Our only mercurial barometer was broken. 
Up to this point a good barometrical profile of our route had been obtained. Now this interesting 
and important part of the reconnaissance must be discontinued, or continued under great dis¬ 
advantages with the aneroid, which will give only approximate results. 
Thursday, August 4.—Thermometer at sunrise, 41°; barometer 2S.89. Marched twenty miles 
to the north, over the finest grazing country I have yet met with; well watered, but destitute of 
game and trees. Rattlesnakes are so numerous as to render it dangerous to walk about in the 
grass. A Spokane Indian brought in four horses which he said had strayed from our last night’s 
encampment. Some of the party, thinking he had concealed the animals and brought them in 
in order to claim the reward, were for having him tied up and whipped. But the man had 
an honest-looking eye; I believed him to be so, and paid him well for his trouble. Had we 
punished him unjustly, the whole Spokane tribe would have been our enemies, instead of being, 
as now, our fast friends. 
The first forest trees I have seen since leaving the Dalles are in sight from our camp. 
Friday, August 5.—Thermometer at sunrise, 40°; barometer 28.7. We marched twenty-five 
miles through a country of an entirely different character from any we have yet seen ; a dense 
forest of pine and fir trees, many of immense size. We passed many beautiful ponds or lakes, 
and are encamped on the banks of a pretty sheet of clear water amid pine trees; but its waters 
are so strongly alkaline as to make them unfit for use, and very injurious to animals that drink 
of them. The native animals will not taste the water; but American horses and mules will 
when very thirsty, and unless speedily relieved by the administration of an acid, the consequences 
are disastrous. There is a spring near our camp strongly sulphureous, and boiling temperature 
fifty-one degrees. 
Saturday, Axigust 6.—Thermometer 58°; barometer 2S.435. Marched in an eastwardly direc¬ 
tion to Spokane river; the rock formation is granite. Passed a beautiful lake on the left of 
our trail; crossed a branch of the Spokane about three miles from its junction with the latter. 
At the ford where we crossed was an Indian village, and a wheat field of about an acre just 
harvested, which showed a fine crop. 
Arrived on the banks of the Spokane at 12 m. As it was too deep to be forded, I hired the 
Indians to take us across in their canoes, and succeeded in getting everything safely over by sun¬ 
set. The Spokanes are a noble specimen of their race, and are as yet too proud to beg. Their 
chief, Garry, speaks tolerable English, having been educated by the Hudson’s Bay Company. 
He is rich, powerful, and owns a large number of horses. 
The Spokanes, as well as the other tribes we had encountered, had been told that we were 
coming to make war upon them. They were delighted to find us friends, and came in great 
numbers to welcome us. About thirty mounted warriors, in full costume, formed upon a high 
hill overlooking our camp, and sang a song of welcome. It was just at sunset; and as they 
